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Written by: Jessica Konopinski
Published on: 08/01/2024
Supplementing horses can be a loaded topic and a confusing one at that. Horses are large animals that have their own nutritional requirements and it can become overwhelming to determine exactly what necessary minerals they need and how much they are receiving on a daily basis. If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that a hydrated horse is a healthy horse.
In order for a horse to be hydrated, they must be fed an appropriate amount of salt. In a horse's modern day diet, salt is certainly not as available therefore it’s crucial to supplement. Not sure where to start? We’ve gone ahead and gave you some things to consider when starting to supplement salt in your horse's diet.
Salt, otherwise known as sodium chloride is a necessary mineral in any horse's diet. Typically, your average horse would consume this mineral through grazing on pasture and hay. Since a horse's lifestyle factors are different today and especially given that horses are used for sport and sweating excessively, supplementing with salt is a wise move for most horse owners.
When it comes to horses exercised on a routine basis, every time your horse sweats they are releasing sodium chloride. Common in sport horses, if these animals are not supplemented with the appropriate levels of salt not only can their thirst diminish, but they can become very dehydrated leading to lack of recovery and sometimes even more serious health emergencies such as colic. [2] .
On average, it is believed that horses need roughly 50 grams of salt daily. [2]. A study has shown that a horse's natural intake of sodium can range anywhere from 0 to 62 mg salt/kg body weight daily. [1] This can change depending on a number of factors including exercise level, environment, sweat capacity, etc.. A more appropriate estimate has been recorded for 100 mg/kg salt per body weight daily. [1]
The best way to begin supplementing salt in your horse's diet is through free-choice salt. [1] An example of free choice salt is a salt lick that you can purchase and tie in your horse's stall or find one to put in their paddock. When a horse is lacking salt in their diet, they will often seek it out by chewing on fence boards or sometimes by grazing through soil [1]. Providing your horse with free choice salt is a great first step and learning experience to determine if your horse may be deficient.
Another option is by feeding loose salt in your horse's grain. There are a few options to choose from including regular table salt (sodium chloride) or trace mineralized salt which provides other electrolytes such as zinc, iron and copper. [3] If you’re unsure about the best option for your horse, always consult with your veterinarian. While typical sodium chloride may be great for your everyday horse, trace mineralized salt might serve as a better option if you have a sport horse who is sweating out key electrolytes on a regular basis.
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✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
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Jessica is a brand consultant who brings awareness and intention to equestrian and pet platforms. As a former collegiate equestrian athlete and animal lover, Jessica leads with passion and experience through her writing and brand work for companies who advocate for creating a difference in their space. When she's not riding her horse or walking her dog (with iced coffee in hand), you can find her sharing her love for health and wellness with others and integrating these practices in her everyday work.
